“Motorists are still disobeying barriers and attempting to drive through standing water and they end up walking away in waist high water with a broken car,” said acting Mayor Mark Walsten.
Walsten says the Des Plaines River surpassed the peak flood stage of 1986 and broke the record by a half an inch, close to 11 feet.

Sewage drains are on overdrive on Barry Lane as river waters from the Des Plaines finally recede. (Credit: Lisa Fielding)

He says the cleanup is still an ‘all hands on deck’ operation.

“we are still on high mode of operation, 12 hour shifts. It’s going to cost dearly but the money doesn’t matter.We are worried about taking care of the city itself and its residents.”

“We are continuing to monitor the streets. Oakton street is now open. We are working on River Road and after that some smaller streets,” he said.

Elk Street near the McDonald’s museum is still closed due to high waters.

Several city workers from other villages and towns have joined Des Plaines in helping clear debris and sandbags.

Lisa Fielding is a news anchor and reporter for Newsradio 780. She brings nearly three decades of news and sports, radio and television broadcasting experience to WBBM.
A graduate of Bradley University and an award-winning journalist, Lisa b...